In the kingdom of Elaria, where magic is the lifeblood of power and prestige, the illegitimate son of King Alaric stands as an anomaly. Aric, born without a trace of the kingdom's revered magic, is scorned by his royal siblings and despised by his father, the king. While his brothers and sisters vie for the throne, using their formidable magical talents to gain favor, Aric is relegated to the shadows, dismissed as a mere spectator in the deadly game of thrones.
Yet beneath his seemingly powerless exterior lies an indomitable spirit and hidden potential. As the kingdom is engulfed in a brutal struggle for supremacy, Aric must navigate treacherous political intrigues, face brutal trials, and confront dark secrets from his past. Allies come from unexpected places, and betrayals lurk at every corner.
When a series of shocking events reveal a deeper, hidden threat to Elaria, Aric finds himself thrust into the heart of a conflict that could destroy everything he holds dear. With the odds stacked against him and enemies both within and beyond the castle walls, Aric must harness his unique strengths, unravel a conspiracy of ancient magic, and redefine what it means to be a true ruler.
Just when she's decided to leave the Town, Lady Cressida Belverst is forced to marry Lord Calan Haverston, the man who coincidentally knows a way out. Agreeing to marry for all the wrong reasons, can Cressida and Calan find out where their hearts truly belong?
***
It is impossible to leave the Town, but one woman is determined to escape with the help of her betrothed.
Lady Cressida Belverst has always been judged as a walking scandal. Oh, how she tries (on some rare occasions) to be proper! When her parents arrange for her to marry a rich lord, Cressida has had enough. She has to leave the Town because she will not be forced to live with a man she doesn't love. But what happens if the very man she's betrothed to is the only one who can help her get out?
Calan Haverston, the Lord of Easton, takes the risk and helps his betrothed by using his knowledge of the Town's secrets because he is as willing as she to stay free of marriage for reasons completely different. He has dark secrets he cannot share with her, and his life is not one he can likewise open to anyone. But what happens when she leaves after awakening desires he thought he has under control? And what happens when he finds himself longing for her?
Cressida goes to a completely different place, one she has only heard in stories and read in books, with hopes of finding what her heart has always longed for. But love, mystery and secrets will chase her and it will only be a matter of time before she realizes what her heart truly desires.
*This story is a standalone title in the Haverston Family series.